Tailgate Opening Pad Turning to Mush

[alaskaman]

The auto open keypad is sticky and mushy. Took a look at it . Replacement appears dealer oriented requires connections and removing the inner rear panel. What is that thing made of? Sticky now getting worse by the weak. Cant they just replace the pad....all the electrics are working just fine...

 

[Derek]

See the following thread for more info and instructions on how to replace the rear hatch switch:

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/70414-rear-hatch-opener-melted.html

 

[chmura]

I have a used one that is not sticky.

I can send it to you if you pay for shipping.

Its not hard to replace. You cannot just buy the rubber because its made to go inside the plastic piece to keep it waterproof so you have to take out the entire button.

 

[Robs08Runner]

This and a led dash bulb are the only two things that have happened to mine in the 7 years my family has owned it. Great trucks.

 

[GHARP57]

yeah it is kind of a known issue at dealerships. happens on the prius all the time.

 

[Gdmeadors]

I just replaced mine a few days ago. It took less than an hour and was very easy. The part was about $47 online but you can get them for a bit less on Ebay.

 

[bantis556]

Mine is doing the same thing so this post is timely.

 

[BlackWorksInc]

Pretty much any vehicle that has a touch pad like the 4Runner's seems to have this issue. It's both the type of rubber used and the location as it seems to get exposed to exhaust or something and it breaks down the rubber. A new unit from Toyota is like $50 if I remember right (I don't recall that you can get the rubber separate, so you order the whole switch) but some members have just used new rubber to make a new covering.